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Hamerkop

Scopus umbretta

Photo by RachaelB
Published on Project Noah
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-25.2254, 31.5761

Field Notes

Description:

The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name.
The strangest aspect of Hamerkop behavior is the huge nest, sometimes more than 1.5 m across, comprising perhaps 10,000 sticks and strong enough to support a man's weight.

Habitat:

By a river.

Notes:

See a picture of the nest here:http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8974175

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
RachaelB
That's what makes it even stranger they are only medium-sized birds (56 cm long, weighing 470 g).
Maria dB
Are they large birds? Very interesting about the nests.
RachaelB
I know it's so weird. Apparently they build 3 to 5 nests per year whether they are breeding or not. Guess it keeps them busy (and I bet all the other birds that make use of their nests quite like their compulsive behaviour!)
LisaFP
Interesting info on the nest size! I wonder why they make them so large?!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
Birds of Africa
Mission
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Photographed
PublishedMarch 3, 2012

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